Golf ball practice device



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i 1 if d im In N INVENTOR May 5, i936.,

Y L. l. CLARK l GOLF BALL PRACTICE DEVICEl Filed Dec.l 19, 1933 Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '14 Claims.

The present invention relates to a practice game device, and, more especially to a golf game practice device.

One of the principal features of the present improvement is in the provision of a readily collapsible and stretchable practice ball of ahollow, breather type, which is firmly anchored to a .cushioned base, thereby to receive awkward shots or drives withoutinjury to the club, and to resist divotting action.

Another important feature is in the manner in which the elastic practice ball is mounted to the cushioned driving base, whereby it may be ,firmly locked in operative, teed position for practice, or may be readily removed, for replacement.

A further feature lies in the provision of a resettable ball stroke indicator, in which means are provided to show, after each practice play of the ball, a distance indication of the shot.

Another feature of the present device is in the manner in which the device operates, it being con- `structed to indicate driving distances upon indirect or receding action of the elastic kpractice ball. After it is struck and reaches the maximum `stretched position and then starts on its return to its normal tee position, the ball reacts upon the indicators at the instant ofreturn, such reaction being in'the form of a draw strokeupon the slice, hook or distance indicators thus tol operate to set them in visible index positions. The harder the stroke, the greater distance the practice ball stretches, and the increasingly greater distance indicating means are thus reached and set to indicate, by the return stroke of the practice ball.

The practice ball herein shown, is fully described in my United States Letters Patent #1,979,795, issued Nov. 6th, 1934.

The foregoing and other features will be noted as the herein description proceeds, and it is obvious that modifications may be made in the device herein disclosed, without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan yviewof the device;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2--2, Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a sectional lView taken on the line 3-3, Fig. l, looking in the direction. of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4 4, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional and fragmentary view of one of the slice or pull indicator means; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showingthemanner of mounting the rotatable indicator rods.

The device. comprisesa plate or base I, preferably of wood, upon which is mounted a -resilient rubber shock pad 2, havingasloping end I 2, as 5 in Fig. i2, said pad being provided with a ball sightinggroove I3, thereon, which is alined with ,andzenables the player to sight the ball B centrally thereof -in play.

The end'of the pad 2 opposite to the sloping f1.0 end I-2, has Ymoulded therein a metallic frame, generally denoted by 3, and which frame is flanged Vat itsbottom and which flange'is provided with screw l,hole bores in which to receive three pad holding screws 4, 5,and 6, Fig. 1, to hold the :15 frame 3, and its surrounding pad 2, to vthebase I. The Yframe .3, has in its central portion va gib-Way, generally denoted by 'I,Fig. V1, said gibway being shown dotted in part,in Fig. l, and having itsside walls v1L-a and one circular or 20 semi-cylindrical end wall b inclined outwardly from top to bottom, and in the gib-way is slidably mounted a taper face clamp block 8, the forward tapered face of which is semi-cylindrical, andfas-inFig. 4, when the clamp-block is moved ,25 inwardly byscrewing it with its attached-threaded stem 9, which in turn, is threadedly mounted ina wall of the frame 3, this causing `faces b and 1d to firmly clamp the integral, cylindrical, tapered stem II of the resilient, collapsible Yball 30 head f rmly in the plate 3, and thereby hold it in teed position, for stroking with agolfclub e, Fig.'2. The threaded stem 9, on its outer -end has a head and a manipulable, double-headed ngerrstem I0 slidably mountedrin the head, so 3.5 ythat manipulation thereof will move the gibblock 8 to clamp or non-clampingfposition.

In alinement ywith the pad 2 kand its -flrmly teed ball is mounted an elongate frame, comprising a base plate 2l, Fig. 3, which along its ,40 longitudinal sides, two integral upstanding outer flanges I4 and I6, adjacent to and parallel with said outerrflanges arearranged two inner up- .standing flanges VI5 and I1. Thesexed, integral `flanges-are transversely notched, as at 26, Fig. 6, ,45 at spaced intervals, to rotatably receive and hold in said notches, for loose rotation, a plurality of Valined cylindrical shafts I8, Ywhich are. moulded into and form fixed shafts for a plurality of mold- 'ed on rubber friction rolls 23-23, 29and,30,-Figs. `50 1 and 2. Y As in Fig. 1, each shaft I8 of each friction roll 23,29 and 30 areso molded into the frictionf rolls that theshafts, which areall of onelength, .are alternately extendedon opposite sides-of lthe 55 frame, and each shaft is provided, on its alternate long end, as in Fig. 1, with a shutter or index carrying blade 25, 28, and 28. 'Ihus each index blade is provided with space on both sides of its axis of rotation in order to permit it to lie in either position of rest on opposite sides of said axis without interference with any of the other index blades. Thus, all of the rotatably mounted friction rolls carries an index blade free of interference fromeach other, and in plain sight of theplayer for instant reading and are in di- `rect alinernent with the ball.

With the index blades all lying in the positions 1 j shown in Fig. l, the under side of each blade carries a numeral, which is thereby hidden Vfrom View, and these numerals may be arranged in progression from the iirst blade, commencing on the left hand of the frame in Fig. l1 to the right hand of the frame the last two blades 28 .and 28', however being connected to be operated by unalined slidable strips 22 and 2| and being indirectly and directly rotated, are provided with words to indicate a Vslice or a hook in accord with which one is operated to expose its index by rotation, in play.

'I'he mode of indirect operation of the rolls 29 and 30 is as follows; as the shafts I8 of all of the rolls merely rest in notches 26, it becomes necessary to provide a cap bearing for each shaft end, on each side of the frame, and this is accomplished by placing bearing cap strips I9 and 20, Figs. 1 and 3, ,and aflixing them in operative position by means of plural screws 36, to the base 21. These caps are each provided at two points with channeled ears 31, which are recessed on their under faces, thereby to form edge ledges 38. These latter ledges enter into elongate notches 39, Figs. 1 and 3, which are arranged in the body v'of two slidable strips 2| and 22, which rest .and slide upon the exposed ends of shafts I8. The ears 31 being fixed, act as stops in the elongate notches 39, when the strips 2| and 22 are moved longitudinally, in play.

The strips 2l and22 are further provided with means, whereby, when they are operated in play,

ythey will operate, each its own appurtenant index lto visualize the play.

A description for one of these operativeconnections will suice for both strips, as the details Vand operation are alike.

As in Figs. 1 and 5, strip 22 is provided with an elongate slot 40, into which projects, from its under side, a latch pin 4I which is radially alxed -in shaft I8.` If, with the index blade 28 of roll 29 in the position of rest with its hidden index, as in Fig. 1, the strip 22 is moved or slid to the left, to

the limit of its stop notches 39, then the latch pin `lll will cause shaft I8 to rotate backwardly and throw index blade 21 completely over one half revolution, where it rests on base I, with its index fslice exposed to Vision.

The mode of play and restoration of the indexes after play exposure will now be explained.

With the device on the ground and with the resilient, collapsible, vented ball in mechanically and tance from the mechanical tee commensurate with the force of the blow.' Upon-impact of the A index exposure.

ball head with the friction surfaces of the index rolls, the ball instantly commences to recover its natural form, and in so doing sharply draws backwardly upon friction rolls 23 and causes them to turn over backwardly one half revolution, thus exposing the heretofore unexposed index on the index blade, as for instance, at g, Fig. l, shown dotted. The thus exposed index arbitrarily indicate a stroke equivalent to 175 yards.

As the player may be either left or ring handed, he can take the proper stance on either side of the device.

If the ball is struck in true stroke alinement with the sighting line I3 on the pad 2, any true fairway stroke on the ball gives a distance But if the ball is struck improperly and tends to land on either side of the true axis, it can do either one of two things, or both, i. e., if the ball is struck over too far to One or the other side as to miss the rolls 23 entirely, it will contact with either strip 2I or 22, and upon recovery pull the strip backward, and expose either the slice or hook index, thus indicating an error, without a show of distance. If, on the other hand the ball is so driven either to the right or left as to contact with either strip and an index roll, simultaneously, then the fault of stroke is shown, with a distance indication. Thus the player receives, after each stroke a visual indication of distance and trueness of f stroke or distance and fault or fault only, and can thus correct the error by further practice strokes.

To reset the indexes back to concealed position the player merely draws the head of his club across the friction rolls 23 from left to right, as viewed in Fig. 1, and the traction thus afforded, will reset all the index blades in non-index exposing position.

If the player has a tendency to divot on his stroke the soft resilient pad 2 will absorb the shock of the blow, and the reaction of the player will indicate the fault.

If it is desired to replace'a ball, the screw 9 is unscrewed, withdrawing the clamp block 8 to its full opening, after which the old ball may be replaced by a livelier one.

It, will thus be seen that the device is light in weight, is simple to use, is compact and can be carried in a small space, is operated by the backward recovery action of the blow distorted flexible play ball and is extremely durable.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

l. In a golf practice device, the combination of a base, a permanently teed, resilient practice ball thereon comprising a head having a resilient stem thereon, said stem being held in said base, normally unexposed, movable distance and direction indicating means rotatably located on said base within the path of movement of said head when the ball is struck and rolls connected to said indicating means adapted to move saidindicating means to expose said unexposed indicating means upon impact of said ball.

2. In a golf practice device, the combination with a base of a resilient, deformable, iixedly mounted practice ball having a head and a stem and mounted on said base by said stem, of a plurality of rotatably mounted rolls on said base and in alined relation to said ball, means unaligned with said ball to operate some of said rolls indirectly when struck by the head to in` dicate a slice or hook stroke, said alined rolls being operated directly by 'said head, and indicator means having play indexes aixed to the combllaQIl with. e. ball helling 3:1? 913,519@ Stem,

other rolls and being normally unexposed and being exposable upon impact and recover-y action of the deformed head after being struck thereby.

3. A golf practice device including in combina,- tion with a ball comprising a head and having a resilient stem integral with said head, said stem including an expanded base; a yieldable tee; a metallic member molded in said tee and 'having therein a downwardly expanding opening where,- in said base is fitted, and means movably mounted on said member and engaging said portion whereby to lock the latter in said opening.

4. A golf practice device including in combination with a ball having a hollow elastic head, and an extensible stem integral with said head, said head having a relatively large breather opening therein, and said stem having an expanded base; a metallic member having therein an elongate opening which is formed at one end to engage one side of said base; a yieldable tee disposed below the level of said head and having part thereof covering the top surface of said member; a movable block disposed in said opening and engaging the opposite side of said stem, and a threaded element threadedly mounted in said member and engaging said block whereby to urge the latter into holding relation with said base.

5. A golf practice device comprising in combination with a ball having a retractible head, said head being extensible on being hit with a club; indicating means including rearwardly turnable members, and means rigid with each of said members and engageable by said head on its extension, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said members may be turned to indicate the length of the extension.

6. A golf practice device comprising in combination with a ball having a retractible head, said head being extensible on being hit with a club; forwardly turned members having on their lower faces distance indicating indicia, and rearwardly revolvable rollers rigid with said respective members and engageable by said head on its extension, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said rollers may be revolved so as to turn the associated face into indicating position.

7. A golf practice apparatus comprising in combination with a ball having an elastic stem, and a retractible head integral therewith, said head being extensible on being hit by a club, and said stem having an expanded base; rigid means embracing said base and holding the latter; rearwardly revolvable members disposed in the path of movement of said head and engageable thereby; and turnable distance indicators rigid with said respective members, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said indicators may be turned to indicate the length of the extension.

8. A golf practice apparatus comprising in combination with a ball having an elastic stem, and a retractible head, said head being extensible on being hit by a club, and said stem including a base; rigid means holding said base; a yieldable pad covering the top of said means, said pad forming a tee, an elongate frame disposed forwardly of said head; laterally disposed distance indicators, and transverse spaced revolvable members mounted on said frame and being rigid with the respective indicators, said members being engageable by said head, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said indicators may be turned to indicate the length of the extension.

9. A golf practice apparatus comprising in and a retractible headf Said heed being @Xieeeible on'being hit by a club, and said stern including ,a base; means holding said base and including a rigid element; a yieldable pad having part thereof; covering the i201 of .Said element., ,Sfi pad forming a tee; an elongate frame disposed forwardly of said head; laterally diSDQSed, distance indicators, transverse revolvable shafts mounted on said frame and being rigid with the respective indicators, and rollers rigid With Sad shafts, said rollers being engageable by said head, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said indicators may be turned to indicate the length of the extension.

10. A golf practice apparatus comprising in combination with a ball having an elastic stem and a retractible head, said stem including a base and said head being extensible on being hit by a club; means holding said base; a resilient pad having its top surface disposed above the top of said means and forming a tee; an elongate frame; transverse shafts journalled in said frame and each having one end projecting therebeyond, a distance indicator fixed to the forward side of each of said ends, which latter project from alternate shafts; and rollers rigid with said shafts, said rollers being disposed in the path of travel of said head and engageable thereby, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said indicators may be turned rearwardly to in- -dicate the length of the extension.

1l. A golf practice apparatus including in co bination with a ball having a lowermost Stem, and a retractible head, said head being extensible on being hit by a club; an elongate base; means holding the lower end of said stern and including a frame; a yieldable pad, said pad having the forward end thereof covering said frame and forming a tee; an elongate frame disposed in front of the ball; means attaching said frames to the base; forwardly turned distance indicators disposed laterally of the elongate frame, and rotary members mounted on said elongate frame and engageable by said head, said members being rigid with the respective indicator, whereby on initial retraction of said head one of said indicators may be turned rearwardly to indicate the length of the extension.

12. A golf practice apparatus comprising in combination with a ball having an elastic stem, and a retractible head, said stem including a base and said head being extensible when hit by a club; means for holding said base; an elongate frame disposed forwardly of the ball; distance indicating means having elements disposed along the center of the frame and defining a direct A course for said head; laterally disposed direction indicators; and elongate members slidably disposed on opposite sides of said course and having connections with said indicators, whereby when said head is driven oir the direct course one member may be engaged thereby, so that on initial retraction of said head said member may be slid rearwardly so as to operate the associated indicator.

13. A golf practice apparatus comprising in combination with a ball having an elastic stem, and a retractible head, said stem including an extended base, and said head being extensible on being struck by a club; means for holding said base; an elongate frame disposed forwardly of the ball; distance indicating means having elements disposed along the center of the frame to define a direct course for said head; direction indicating i'eais': 'said last means including laterally disposed rearwardly turnable indicators; and slidable members disposed on opposite sides of said course and having operative connections with said indicators, whereby when said head is driven oi the directJ course one of said members may be engaged thereby, so that on initial retraction of said head said member may be slid rearwardly so as to operate the associated indi- '10 cator.

14. In a golf practice device, the combination with a base of 'a practice ball comprising a deformable head having a resilient stem thereon, said stern being aiXe'd to said base, a plurality of rotatable shafts having xed rolls mounted on 'said base adjacent said ball and distance indicator means affixed to said shafts, said indicator means having play indexes thereon, and being normally unexposed, but being exposable upon impact and recovery action of the deformed head after said shafts are struck by said head.

LUTHER I. CLARK. 

